Quick-change blade system

ABSTRACT

A lawn care device may include a cutting deck housing at least one blade, a rotatable shaft, and a blade mount operably coupled to the rotatable shaft. The blade mount may include at least one engagement slot configured to enclose at least a portion of the at least one blade. The blade mount may further include at least one protruding member disposed within the engagement slot to secure the at least one blade within the engagement slot responsive to insertion of the at least one blade into the engagement slot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/540,744 filed on Sep. 29, 2011, and International Application NumberPCT/US2012/035496 filed Apr. 27, 2012, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments generally relate to outdoor power equipment and,more particularly, some embodiments relate to a lawn mower with a bladeassembly that has blades that can be quickly removed and/or replaced.

BACKGROUND

Lawn care tasks are commonly performed using various tools and/ormachines that are configured for the performance of correspondingspecific tasks. Certain tasks, like grass cutting, are typicallyperformed by lawn mowers. Lawn mowers themselves may have many differentconfigurations to support the needs and budgets of consumers.Walk-behind lawn mowers are typically compact, have comparatively smallengines and are relatively inexpensive. Meanwhile, at the other end ofthe spectrum, riding lawn mowers, such as lawn tractors, can be quitelarge. Riding lawn mowers can sometimes also be configured with variousfunctional accessories (e.g., trailers, tillers and/or the like) inaddition to grass cutting components. Riding lawn mowers provide theconvenience of a riding vehicle as well as a typically larger cuttingdeck as compared to a walk-behind model.

The cutting blades of a lawn mower are an important, but sometimesoverlooked, component of the lawn mower. The sharpness of the lawn mowerblade impacts the quality of cut achieved using the corresponding blade.In this regard, for example, if a blade is not sharp, blades of grassmay receive an uneven cut and the ends of the grass may tend to brown,leaving a less desirable appearance to the lawn and increasingsusceptibility to some diseases. Meanwhile, using a sharp blade canachieve a cleaner cut that leaves a more appealing appearance to the cutlawn.

Blade sharpening or replacement requires removal of the blade from thelawn mower. Some lawn mower operators may be intimidated by the prospectof removing the blades either due to their perception of the complexityor difficulty of the task or due to their perception of the likelihoodthat tools that they do not possess may be required to complete thetask.

In some cases, different styles of blades may be employed for cutting,mulching, or other lawn care tasks. An unwillingness or lack of desireto make blade changes can also cause lawn mower operators to fail toachieve the full potential of their lawn mowers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

Some example embodiments may provide a quick-change blade system thatmay allow users to make blade changes on a lawn mower relatively quicklyand easily. In this regard, for example, some embodiments may providefor blade designs and corresponding mounting apparatuses that may enableoperators to change blades with only very simple tools, or perhaps notools at all. Furthermore, some example embodiments may provide for ablade change system that may be back fitted to existing lawn mowers.Thus, for example, some embodiments may provide for mounting apparatusesthat may be configured to attach to an existing cutting deck and enablethe existing cutting deck to thereafter support the use of quick-changeblades as described herein.

Some example embodiments may improve the ability of operators to changeblades quickly and easily. Operators may therefore take fuller advantageof the capabilities of their lawn mowers, and have a greatersatisfaction with the performance of their lawn mowers.

In an example embodiment, a lawn care device is provided. The lawn caredevice may include a cutting deck housing at least one blade, arotatable shaft, and a blade mount operably coupled to the rotatableshaft. The blade mount may include at least one engagement slotconfigured to enclose at least a portion of the at least one blade. Theblade mount may further include at least one protruding member disposedwithin the engagement slot to secure the at least one blade within theengagement slot responsive to insertion of the at least one blade intothe engagement slot.

In another example embodiment, a blade mount may be provided. The blademount may be configured to couple a blade to a rotatable shaft. Theblade mount may include at least one engagement slot configured toenclose at least a portion of the blade, and at least one protrudingmember disposed within the engagement slot to secure the blade withinthe engagement slot responsive to insertion of the blade into theengagement slot.

In another example embodiment, a cutting blade for a lawn mower isprovided. The blade may include a top face, a bottom face, and at leastone alignment slot forming a cutout portion of the blade passing fromone of the top face or bottom face toward the other of the top face orthe bottom face. The at least one alignment slot may be disposed spacedapart from an axis of rotation of the blade to receive a correspondingprotruding member of a blade mount configured to hold the blade, viaengagement of the protruding member with the at least one alignmentslot, at a portion of the blade other than at the axis of rotationduring rotation of the blade responsive to operation of the lawn mower.

It will be appreciated that, although some embodiments of the inventionare illustrated herein as providing a quick-change system for blades ona lawn mower (e.g., a riding lawn mower, a walk-behind lawn mower, orthe like), the quick-change mounting apparatuses described herein may beused to similarly couple other devices together. For example, themounting apparatuses described herein may be used to couple cuttingelements to other types of lawn care equipment, such as trimmers,edgers, circular saws, chainsaws, and/or the like. The mountingapparatuses may also be used to couple rotary elements in devices otherthan lawn care equipment. For example, the mounting apparatusesdescribed herein may be used to attach fan blades to a fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a riding lawn care vehicle accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the riding lawn care vehicleaccording to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view taken through a center of acutting deck of the riding lawn care vehicle according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a blade mount looking down alongitudinal length of a blade according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of the blade mount from a positionperpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of components associated with theblade mount employing a covering according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of the blade mount showing aspring clamp design where the blade mount is released and the blade isremoved according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6, which includes FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, illustrates a topperspective view of the blade of an example embodiment;

FIG. 7, which includes FIGS. 7A and 7B, illustrates a detailed view ofone example embodiment of the blade mount base;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the blade mount in the clampedposition according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section of the cutting deck in which adifferent clamping mechanism is employed according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a quick change blade accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 11A illustrates a side view of a blade mount seen from a pointperpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 11B illustrates a side view of the blade mount seen looking downthe longitudinal length of the blade according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross section view of the blade mount andcorresponding portions of the blade with the blade removed according toan example embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section view of the blade mount andcorresponding portions of the blade with the blade attached according toan example embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a cross section view looking down into a recess of the blademount at a level of horizontal channels according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 14B is a cross section view looking in the opposite direction ofthat shown in FIG. 14A at a level of the horizontal channels accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a blade mount of an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a quick-change blade accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of the blade attached to theblade mount by being clamped within the blade engagement assemblyaccording to an example embodiment;

FIG. 18 illustrates an exploded view of components of the bladeengagement assembly according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of a blade mount according to anotherexample embodiment;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of the blade mount withquick-change blades removed according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of the blade mount with theblades installed according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allexample embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described andpictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to thescope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather,these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” isto be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true wheneverone or more of its operands are true. Additionally, the term “lawn care”is meant to relate to any yard maintenance activity and need notspecifically apply to activities directly tied to grass, turf or sodcare. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relateto direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enablesfunctional interconnection of components that are operably coupled toeach other.

In an example embodiment, a lawn mower is provided with a quick-changeblade system. The quick-change blade system may include a mountingapparatus that may take any of a plurality of different forms. Someexample mounting apparatus designs are described herein. Although themounting apparatuses may take different forms, each of the mountingapparatuses may generally provide operators with an ability torelatively easily remove and/or replace lawn mower blades using themounting apparatus. In some cases, the removal and/or replacement may beperformed without any tools and, in some cases, with the use of only onehand. Furthermore, some embodiments may even make it possible for anoperator to easily disconnect or connect a blade without requiringjacking up of the lawn mower or removal of the deck since someembodiments may be easy and safe enough to use to allow an operator toreach under a deck and operate the mounting apparatus in a small amountof space or without a direct line of sight.

Some embodiments of the mounting apparatus may be sold as part of thelawn mower either permanently or removably attached to the spindle.However, in other instances, embodiments of the mounting apparatus maybe sold separately from the lawn mower and configured to allow oldermodel lawn mowers to be retrofitted with a mounting apparatus of anexample embodiment.

FIG. 1, which includes FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrates an example of ariding lawn care vehicle 10 having a bagging attachment 12. However, itshould be appreciated that example embodiments may be employed onnumerous other riding lawn care vehicles that may not include a baggingattachment 12. The riding lawn care vehicle 10 may also include aninformation panel 14 displaying operational information regarding theriding lawn care vehicle 10. As shown and described herein, the ridinglawn care vehicle 10 may be a riding lawn mower (e.g., a lawn tractor,front-mount riding lawn mower, zero-turn riding lawn mower, cross mower,stand-on riding lawn mower, and/or the like). However, other exampleembodiments may be employed on other lawn mowers, such as roboticmowers, walk behind lawn mowers, remote-controlled lawn mowers, and/orthe like.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of the riding lawn care vehicle 10 andFIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the riding lawn care vehicle10. The riding lawn care vehicle may include a steering assembly 20(e.g., including a steering wheel, handle bars, or other steeringapparatus) functionally connected to wheels of the riding lawn carevehicle 10 to which steering inputs are provided (e.g., the front and/orrear wheels in various different embodiments) to allow the operator tosteer the riding lawn care vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the ridinglawn care vehicle 10 may include a seat 30 that may be disposed at acenter, rear or front portion of the riding lawn care vehicle 10. Theoperator may sit on the seat 30, which may be disposed to the rear ofthe steering assembly 20 to provide input for steering of the ridinglawn care vehicle 10 via the steering assembly 20.

The riding lawn care vehicle 10 may also include, or be configured tosupport attachment of, a cutting deck 40 having at least one cuttingblade mounted therein. In some cases, a height of the at least onecutting blade may be adjustable by an operator of the riding lawn carevehicle 10. The cutting deck 40 may be a fixed or removable attachmentin various different embodiments. Moreover, a location of the cuttingdeck 40 may vary in various alternative embodiments. For example, insome cases the cutting deck 40 may be positioned in front of the frontwheels 42, behind the rear wheels 44, or in between the front and rearwheels 42 and 44 (as shown in FIG. 1) to enable the operator to cutgrass using the at least one cutting blade when the at least one cuttingblade is rotated below the cutting deck 40. In some embodiments, thecutting deck 40 may be lifted or rotated relative to the lawn mowerframe to permit easier access to the underside of the lawn mower withoutrequiring removal of the cutting deck 40. The cutting deck 40 may haveone, two, three, or more cutting blades driven by one, two, three, ormore rotatable shafts. The shafts may be rotated by any number ofmechanisms. For example, in some embodiments the shafts are coupled to amotor via a system of belts and pulleys. In other embodiments the shaftsmay be coupled to the motor via a system of universal joints, gears,and/or other shafts. In still other embodiments, such as in an electriclawn mower, the shaft may extend directly from an electric motorpositioned over the cutting deck.

In some embodiments, the front wheels 42 and/or the rear wheels 44 mayhave a shielding device positioned proximate thereto in order to preventmaterial picked up in the wheels from being ejected toward the operator.Fender 46 is an example of such a shielding device. When operating tocut grass, the grass clippings may be captured by a collection system(e.g., bagging attachment 12), mulched, or expelled from the cuttingdeck 40 via either a side discharge or a rear discharge.

The riding lawn care vehicle 10 may also include additional controlrelated components such as one or more speed controllers, cutting heightadjusters and/or the like. Some of the controllers, such as the speedcontrollers, may be provided in the form of foot pedals that may sitproximate to a footrest 48 (which may include a portion on both sides ofthe riding lawn care vehicle 10) to enable the operator to rest his orher feet thereon while seated in the seat 20.

In the pictured example embodiment of FIG. 1, an engine 50 of the ridinglawn care vehicle 10 is disposed substantially forward of a seatedoperator. However, in other example embodiments, the engine 50 could bein different positions such as below or behind the operator. In someembodiments, the engine 50 may be operably coupled to one or more of thewheels of the riding lawn care vehicle 10 in order to provide drivepower for the riding lawn care vehicle 10. In some embodiments, theengine 50 may be capable of powering two wheels, while in others, theengine 50 may power all four wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle 10.Moreover, in some cases, the engine 50 may manually or automaticallyshift between powering either two wheels or all four wheels of theriding lawn care vehicle 10. The engine 50 may be housed within a coverthat forms an engine compartment to protect engine 50 components andimprove the aesthetic appeal of the riding lawn care vehicle 10.

In an example embodiment, the engine compartment may be positionedproximate to and/or mate with portions of a steering assembly housing60. The steering assembly housing 60 may house components of thesteering assembly 20 to protect such components and improve theaesthetic appeal of the riding lawn care vehicle 10. In someembodiments, a steering wheel 62 of the steering assembly 20 may extendfrom the steering assembly housing 60 and a steering column (not shown)may extend from the steering wheel 62 down through the steering assemblyhousing 60 to components that translate inputs at the steering wheel 62to the wheels to which steering inputs are provided.

In some embodiments, the engine 50 may also provide power to turn thecutting blade or blades disposed within the cutting deck 40. In thisregard, for example, the engine 50 may be used to turn a shaft uponwhich the cutting blade or blades may be fixed (e.g., via a belt andpulley system and/or other mechanisms). The turning of the shaft, athigh speeds, may move the cutting blade or blades through a range ofmotion that creates air movement that tends to straighten grass forcutting by the moving blade and then eject the cut grass out of thecutting deck 40 (e.g., to the bagging attachment 12 or to the back orside of the riding lawn care vehicle 10), unless the blade and mower areconfigured for mulching.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view taken through a center of thecutting deck 40. As can be seen in FIG. 2, shaft 100 (often alsoreferred to as a spindle) may extend downward into a center region ofthe cutting deck 40. A blade 110 may be attached to the shaft 100.Conventionally, the blade 110 may be directly attached to the shaft 100via an attachment device such as, for example, bolt 120. In this regard,for example, the bolt 120 may pass through an opening in a center of theblade 110 and thereafter be screwed into a distal end of the shaft 100(e.g., with or without a washer between the bolt 120 and the blade 110).Thus, blade removal would require the bolt 120 to be removed. This, ofcourse would require the use of tools, and may require tipping, removalor elevation of the cutting deck 40.

Some example embodiments may provide for the inclusion of a mountingapparatus (e.g., blade mount 130), which may enable the blade 110 to beremoved without tools and, in some cases, without requiring tipping,removal or elevation of the cutting deck 40. The blade mount 130 may beoperably coupled to the shaft 100. For example, the blade mount 130 maybe directly affixed to the shaft 100 via the bolt 120. In this regard,for example, the bolt 120 may pass through an opening in a centerportion of the blade mount 130 (e.g., with or without a washer betweenthe bolt 120 and the blade 110) and may be tightened to affix the blademount 130 to the shaft 100.

FIG. 3, which includes FIGS. 3A and 3B, shows isolated views ofcomponents associated with the blade mount 130 according to an exampleembodiment. In this regard, FIG. 3A illustrates a side view looking downthe longitudinal length of the blade 110 and FIG. 3B illustrates a sideview from a position perpendicular to the longitudinal length of theblade 110. FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of the shaft 100 passing into ahousing 140 that may protect the shaft 100 from debris that may impactthe rotatability of the shaft 100. The shaft 100 may terminate at amounting plate 150 to which the blade mount 130 may be attached, oragainst which the blade mount 130 may be drawn by tightening of the bolt120 to the shaft 100.

In some embodiments, the blade mount 130 may include a covering that maybe provided to shield the blade mount 130 from debris during operation.FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of components associated with theblade mount 130 employing a covering according to an example embodiment.In this regard, FIG. 4 shows a blade mount cover 132 removed from theblade mount 130. The blade mount cover 132 may be a plate shaped pieceof metal, plastic or other rigid material that may be affixed (e.g., viaa snap assembly) over the blade mount 130. However, it should beappreciated that the blade mount cover 132 may be optional, and thussome embodiments may not include the blade mount cover 132.

The blade mount 130 of an example embodiment may include a spring clampdesign. FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of the blade mount 130showing the spring clamp design where the blade mount 130 is releasedand the blade 110 is removed. FIG. 6, which includes FIGS. 6A, 6B and6C, illustrates a top view of the blade 110 of an example embodiment.FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of the blade 110. FIG. 6B illustrates atop perspective view of a version of the blade 110 that may be used inconnection with a blade mount employing a stamped blade mount base(e.g., like the one shown in FIG. 7B). FIG. 6C illustrates a topperspective view of a version of the blade 110 that may be used inconnection with a blade mount employing a cast blade mount base (e.g.,like the one shown in FIG. 7A). As shown in FIG. 6, the blade 110 mayinclude alignment slots 160 and a bolt receiver 170. The bolt receiver170 may be a cutout portion disposed at a center of the blade 110 (e.g.,centered around an intersection of the longitudinal and transversecenterlines of the blade 110) to allow the blade 110 to fit within theblade mount 130 without having interference from the bolt 120. In otherwords, the bolt receiver 170 may pass from a top face of the blade 110to a bottom face of the blade 110 at the axis of rotation of the blade110 to define a gap through which the bolt 120 may pass to enable theblade 110 to first snugly within the blade mount 130 even though thebolt 120 may also protrude into the blade mount 130. In some cases,there may be no force exerted by the bolt 120 on the blade 110 (and insome cases there may be no contact between the bolt 120 and the blade110) due to the bolt 120 fitting within the bolt receiver 170. Thealignment slots 160 and the bolt receiver 170 may be employed forattachment of the blade 110 to the blade mount 130 as described below.In this regard, the alignment slots 160 (or at least one alignment slot)may form a cutout portion of the blade 110 passing from one of the topface or bottom face toward the other of the top face or the bottom face.Moreover, the at least one alignment slot may disposed spaced apart froman axis of rotation of the blade to receive a corresponding protrudingmember of a blade mount configured to hold the blade at a portion of theblade other than at the axis of rotation during rotation of the bladeresponsive to operation of the lawn mower. The blade mount 130 mayinclude a blade mount base 200 that may form a portion of the blademount 130 to which a clamping device or component (e.g., a spring clamp)is attached. FIG. 7, which includes FIGS. 7A and 7B, illustrates adetailed view of two alternative example embodiments of the blade mountbase. In this regard, FIG. 7A illustrates an example embodiment in whichthe blade mount base 200 is cast as a single unitary piece, while FIG.7B illustrates an example embodiment in which blade mount base 200′ isstamped from a single unitary piece of metal.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the blade mount 130 of thisexample embodiment may include the blade mount base 200 which may berotatably attached to a clamp 240 via pivot pins 212 (or a single pivotpin) that may fit within pivot pin receivers 202 disposed at a portionof the blade mount base 200. The blade mount base 200 may furtherinclude an attachment orifice 220 that may be disposed at a centerportion of the blade mount base 200. In FIG. 7A, the attachment orifice220 is shown to have a star pattern in order to receive acorrespondingly patterned protrusion that may extend beyond the surfaceof the mounting plate 150. However, it should be appreciated that anycircular or non-circular pattern could be employed on the mounting plate150 and the attachment orifice 220. The bolt 120 may pass through theattachment orifice 220 to engage the shaft 100 to secure the blade mountbase 200 to the mounting plate 150 responsive to tightening of the bolt120. In some cases, a washer 121 or other intermediate plate shapedcomponent may be disposed between the bolt 120 and the surface of theblade mount base 200 surrounding the attachment orifice 220.

In some embodiments, the pivot pin receivers 202 may be disposed inguide posts 230 that may form one edge of a blade reception channel 232at a surface of the blade mount base 200. A locking post 234 may bedisposed at an opposite side of the blade reception channel 232 relativeto each respective one of the guide posts 230. The blade receptionchannel 232 may include alignment protrusions 236 that may be disposedon opposite sides of the attachment orifice 220. In some embodiments,the alignment protrusions 236 may protrude into the blade receptionchannel 232 from the blade mount base 200 to project into the alignmentslots 160 of the blade 110. To ensure that the blade 110 cannot beinstalled incorrectly, the alignment protrusions 236 and the alignmentslots 160 may be offset to opposite sides relative to a centerline ofthe longitudinal length of the blade 110. In an example embodiment, thealignment protrusions 236 may have a height that is approximately equalto the thickness of the blade 110 so that the tops of the alignmentprotrusions are flush with the surface of the blade 110 when the blade110 is properly positioned in the blade reception channel 232. In somecases, the blade mount base 200 may further include cover snap receivers238 configured to receive snap fittings associated with the blade mountcover 132 (if employed). In the illustrated embodiment, the blade mountbase 200 includes two snap receivers 238, one on each side of the bladereception channel 232 and located far enough from the blade receptionchannel so that clamp 240 does not interfere with the latch snapfittings on the blade mount cover 132.

In an example embodiment, the clamp 240 may be operably coupled to theblade mount base 200 via the pivot pins 212. The clamp 240 may berotatable with the pivot pins forming the axis of rotation and may belockable via engagement of a latch assembly 250 onto the locking posts234. The latch assembly 250 may include a latch cover 252 that rotatesabout a roll pin 254 to enable engagement and/or disengagement of a wireelement 256 that may be rotatably attached to the latch cover 252 at aportion of the latch cover 252 that is offset from a position at whichthe roll pin 254 engages the latch cover 252. The wire element 256 maybe bent as it extends from the point of engagement of the wire element256 to the latch cover 252 to a crossbar portion of the wire element 256that engages the locking posts 234. The bend in the wire element 256 mayenable the wire element 256 to provide a spring-like force to pull thelatch cover 252 down toward the clamp 240 when the latch cover 252 isrotated about the roll pin 254 while the wire element 256 engages thelocking posts 234.

More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the blade mount 130in the clamped position according to an example embodiment. When viewingthe blade mount 130 from the perspective shown in FIG. 8, one canimagine a plane extending through the point 257 where the wire element256 is secured in the locking posts 235 and through the center of theroll pin 254. When the latch cover 252 is in unlatched position, thepoint 258 where the wire element 256 is rotatably coupled to the latchcover 252 is below this plane. When the latch cover 252 is rotated aboutthe roll pin 254 towards a latched position, the point 258 moves aroundthe roll pin 254 until it passes through the plane. The point 258 thenresides above the plane when the latch cover 252 is in the latchedposition. In order for the latch cover 252 to move out of the latchedposition, the point 258, which rotates in a circular motion about thecenter of the roll pin 254, must move further away from the point 257until it passes through the plane. The bend in the wire element 256permits the point 258 to move further away from point 257 to someextent, but only when the spring force is overcome by, for example, theforce exerted by the hand of an operator trying to unlock the latchcover 252. In this way, the latch cover 252 is held in the latchedposition and the clamp 240 is locked into the clamped position shown inFIG. 8. In one embodiment, the point 257 is slightly higher than thecenter of the roll pin 254 (when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 8).

As such, the clamp 240 may be configured to rotate about the pivot pins212 to a position proximate to the blade reception channel 232 to lockor clamp the blade 110 into place (e.g., between the clamp 240 and theblade mount base 200) responsive to the latch assembly 250 engaging andclamping onto the locking posts 234. In an example embodiment, a planein which the blade 110 lies may be substantially parallel to a plane inwhich the clamp 240 lies and a plane in which the latch cover 252 lieswhen the wire element 256 is clamped to the locking posts 234.

Although not required, the latch cover 252 may be further secured in aclamped position in some embodiments. For example, a locking assembly260 may be provided to enable the latch cover 252 to be further securedin the clamped position. The locking assembly 260 may include a lockingprotrusion 262 that may extend through a lock receiver 264 attached toor otherwise forming a portion of the latch cover 252. In some cases, apin (not shown), such as a cotter pin, R-clip, hairpin or other pin, mayextend through the locking protrusion 262 to engage the latch cover 252responsive to insertion of the locking protrusion 262 through the lockreceiver 264. However, in other embodiments, the locking protrusion 262may include a rotatable catch 266 disposed at a distal end thereof. Therotatable catch 266 may have a slanted head to allow the lock receiver264 (e.g., an aperture in the latch cover 252 shaped to receive therotatable catch 266 and the distal end of the locking protrusion 262there-through) to slide easily over the rotatable catch 266 by rotatingthe head of the rotatable catch 266 when moving the latch cover 252 tothe clamped position. After the latch cover 252 clears the rotatablecatch 266, the rotatable catch 266 may be biased (e.g., by a helicaltorsion spring or other spring located proximate the axis of ahinge-type connection between the rotatable catch 266 and the lockingprotrusion 262) to rotate to a position at which the rotatable catch 266prevents movement of the latch cover 252 out of the clamped position. Torelease the latch cover 252, the operator may simply rotate therotatable catch 266 to enable the lock receiver 264 to clear therotatable catch 266 and then rotate the latch cover 252 in the oppositedirection to move it out of the clamped position. In the illustratedembodiment, the lock receiver 264, rotatable catch 266, and lockingprotrusion 262 are located near the end of the latch cover 252 oppositethe roll pin 254 so that the operator may be able to rotate therotatable catch 266 and lift the latch cover 252 out of the clampedposition all with one hand.

As described above, FIG. 8 shows the latch cover 252 rotated to engagethe wire element 254 with the locking posts 234. The rotatable catch 266is also shown having cleared the latch cover 252 to prevent inadvertentunlatching of the blade mount 130. FIG. 8 also clearly shows the bladereception channel 232 formed between the blade mount base 200 and theclamp 240. The offset arrangement of the alignment protrusions 236within the blade reception channel 232 is also visible.

Referring again to FIG. 7A, the blade mount base 200 may further includemagnet receptacles 270. The magnet receptacles 270 may include magnets(not shown), such as neodymium magnets or other permanent magnets. Thesemagnets may hold the metal blade 110 to the blade mount base 200 whenthe blade 110 is installed in the blade reception channel 232.Accordingly, for example, the operator may be enabled to reach under thecutting deck 40 with one hand and operate the latch cover 252 to pushthe rotatable catch 266 to allow the latch cover 252 to be rotated torelease the wire element 254 from the locking posts 234. After rotatingthe clamp 240 away from the blade 110, the magnets in the magnetreceptacles 260 may hold the blade 110 proximate to the blade mount base200 to prevent the blade 110 from simply falling out of the blade mount130. The operator may overcome the magnets and remove the blade 110 tosharpen or replace the blade 110. Meanwhile, when the blade 110 (eithersharpened or replaced) is to be put back into the blade mount 130, themagnets may hold the blade 110 in place while the operator manipulatesthe latch assembly 250 to the clamped position. Thus, in some cases, theoperator may be enabled to remove and/or replace the blade 110 with onehand, and without tools.

In some cases, lawn mowers (e.g., the riding lawn care vehicle 10) orcutting assemblies may be manufactured with embodiments of the blademount 130 equipped thereon. Such devices may be equipped to enablequick-change blades to be employed directly out of the factory. However,it should also be appreciated that in some cases, the blade mount 130may be mounted in the same manner in which a blade would otherwise bemounted. As such, for example, the blade mount base 200 may mount to thelawn mower in similar fashion to the manner in which a blade in normallymounted. Thereafter, a quick-change blade (e.g., blade 110) may beusable with the lawn mower and the lawn mower may thereafter beconsidered to be retrofitted to handle quick-change blades.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, the stamped version of the blade mount base200′ also includes an attachment orifice 220′ disposed substantially ata midpoint of a longitudinal centerline of the blade mount base 200′.The blade mount base 200′ also includes pivot pin receivers 202′disposed in guide posts 230′ that may form one edge of a blade receptionchannel 232′ at a surface of the blade mount base 200′. A locking post234′ may be disposed at an opposite side of the blade reception channel232′ relative to each respective one of the guide posts 230′. The bladereception channel 232′ may include alignment protrusions 236′ that maybe disposed on opposite sides of the attachment orifice 220′. In someembodiments, the alignment protrusions 236′ may protrude into the bladereception channel 232′ from the blade mount base 200′ to project intothe alignment slots 160 of the blade 110. To ensure that the blade 110cannot be installed incorrectly, the alignment protrusions 236′ and thealignment slots 160 may be offset to opposite sides relative to acenterline of the longitudinal length of the blade 110. In an exampleembodiment, the alignment protrusions 236′ may have a height that isapproximately equal to the thickness of the blade 110 so that the topsof the alignment protrusions are flush with the surface of the blade 110when the blade 110 is properly positioned in the blade reception channel232′. In some cases, the blade mount base 200′ may further include coversnap receivers 238′ configured to receive snap fittings associated withthe blade mount cover 132 (if employed). The blade mount base 200′ mayfurther include magnet receivers 270′ as described above.

As shown in FIG. 7, the alignment protrusions 236 or 236′ are disposedsubstantially equidistant from opposing sides of the longitudinalcenterline of the blade mount base 200 or 200′. However, each of thealignment protrusions 236 or 236′ are disposed to be offset relative tothe transverse centerline of the blade mount base 200 or 200′. In otherwords, at least a majority portion of one of the alignment protrusions236 or 236′ is disposed on a first side of the transverse centerline ofthe blade mount base 200 or 200′, while at least a majority portion ofthe other of the alignment protrusions 236 or 236′ is disposed on asecond side of the transverse centerline of the blade mount base 200 or200′ (the first and second sides being opposite sides of the transversecenterline).

Of note, the alignment slots 160 of the blade 110 are correspondinglyformed to enable the blade 110 of some example embodiments to be held inplace (at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axisof rotation of the blade 110 during operation) exclusively by theengagement between the alignment slots 160 and the alignment protrusions236 or 236′. Meanwhile, the clamp 240 may assist in holding the blade110 in place along the axis of rotation of the blade 110. Thus, forexample, the alignment slots 160 are disposed substantially equidistantfrom opposing sides of the transverse centerline of the blade 110 (onopposite sides of the bolt receiver 170). However, each of the alignmentslots 160 are disposed to be offset relative to the longitudinalcenterline of the blade 110. In other words, at least a majority portionof one of the alignment slots 160 is disposed on a first side of thelongitudinal centerline of the blade 110, while at least a majorityportion of the other of the alignment slots 160 is disposed on a secondside of the longitudinal centerline of the blade 110 (the first andsecond sides being opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline). Assuch, since the bolt receiver 170 is merely provided to enable the bolt120 (or a nut attached to the bolt) to affix the blade mount 130 to theshaft 100, but the bolt receiver 170 itself does not engage, hold orfacilitate holding of the blade 110 in place, the blade 110 is propelledexclusively via the engagement between the alignment slots 160 and thealignment protrusions 236 or 236′.

Although FIGS. 2-8 illustrate one example embodiment of a blade mountcapable of supporting quick change blades, it should be appreciated thatother example embodiments are also possible. Thus, for example, othershapes and constructions of quick-change blades may be supported. Insome cases, quick-change blades may be single unitary components thatare attachable to a blade mount in one piece. In such an embodiment, theblade mount may be configured to grasp the quick change blade at acenter portion of the quick change blade. However, in other examples,quick change blades may include separate blade sections that attach tothe blade mount. FIGS. 9-20 show various examples of quick-change bladearrangements that may be possible according to some alternative exampleembodiments.

In one example embodiment, a blade mount 300 may be provided thatprovides for attachment of a quick-change blade to the shaft via adifferent clamping mechanism than that which is shown in FIGS. 2-8.FIGS. 9-14 illustrate examples of another embodiment employing aquick-change blade system. In this regard, FIG. 9 illustrates a crosssection of the cutting deck 40 in which a different clamping mechanismis employed. FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a quick changeblade 310 according to this example embodiment. FIG. 11, which includesFIGS. 11A and 11B, illustrates side views of the blade mount 300 of thisexample embodiment seen looking down the longitudinal length of theblade 310 (FIG. 11B) and looking at the blade 310 from a pointperpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade 310 (FIG. 11A).FIG. 12 illustrates a cross section view of the blade mount 300 andcorresponding portions of the blade 310 with the blade 310 removed, andFIG. 13 shows roughly the same portions shown in FIG. 12, with the blade310 affixed to the blade mount 300. FIG. 14, which includes FIGS. 14Aand 14B, illustrates a cross section view of the blade mount 300 takenthrough horizontal channels 353 disposed in a blade release assembly 352of the blade mount 300. In this regard, FIG. 14A is a cross section viewlooking down into the recess 330 at a level of the horizontal channels353 and FIG. 14B is a cross section view looking in the oppositedirection at a level of the horizontal channels 353.

In the examples of FIGS. 9-14, blade mount 300 employs a retractable setof locking pins within a releasable pin holding assembly to engage ashaped protrusion 320 that may be attached to or otherwise form aportion of the blade 310. FIG. 10 illustrates the shaped protrusion 320in more detail. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the shaped protrusion 320 maybe attached to a center portion of the blade 310. The attachment betweenthe blade 310 and the shaped protrusion may be accomplished viaconnection bolts 322, as shown in FIG. 10, or via any other suitablemethod (e.g., welding, adhesives, rivets, and/or the like).

The shaped protrusion 320 may extend substantially perpendicularly awayfrom a surface of the blade 310 to form a shape configured to fit withina correspondingly shaped recess 330 in the blade mount 300. The shape inFIG. 10 is substantially oval shaped. However, any suitable shape may beutilized including rectangular, square, hexagonal, star shaped, orvarious other shapes that may be regular or irregular. Even a roundshape may be employed in some cases, such as when detents or otherirregularities are provided on the round shape to prevent free rotationof the shaped protrusion 320 within the corresponding recess 330 in theblade mount 300.

In an example embodiment, the shaped protrusion 320 may be formed totaper slightly along its length extending away from the surface of theblade 310. The tapered shape may be matched by the recess 330 and mayprovide for an easier opportunity to fit the tapered end of the shapedprotrusion 320 into the wider opening of the recess 330, while enablingthe fit to become more snug until full seating of the shaped protrusion320 in the recess 330 when the blade 310 is clamped within the blademount 300. When fully seated, the shaped protrusion 320 may have asubstantially tight fit with the recess 330. The shaped protrusion 320may include pin reception slots 326 disposed on opposite sides of theshaped protrusion 320. In some embodiments, the pin reception slots 326may be disposed at opposite sides of the shaped protrusion 320 along thelongitudinal centerline of the blade 310 oriented to be substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the blade 310. The pinreception slots 326 may mate with retractable pins associated with theblade mount 300 as described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, the blade mount 300 may include a blademount base 340 that may be affixed (e.g., via bolt 342 and in some casesalso a washer 344) to a shaft 350 that may be coupled to the engine 50as described above. As such, for example, the bolt 342 may pass throughan orifice in the center portion of the blade mount base 340 to engagethe shaft 350. In some embodiments, the blade mount base 340 may beshaped to fit a pattern (e.g., the star pattern shown in FIG. 7)disposed on a mounting plate 346 to which the blade mount base 340attaches.

The blade mount base 340 may include sidewalls 348 that extendperpendicularly away from the mounting plate 346 when the blade mountbase 340 is affixed to the mounting plate 346 (e.g., via tightening ofthe bolt 342) to form the recess 330. In some embodiments, a bladerelease assembly 352 may be operably coupled to the blade mount base340. In this regard, for example, the blade release assembly 352 mayextend around the circumference of the sidewalls 348 and may slidablyengage the sidewalls 348. Moreover, in some examples, internal springs(not shown) may bias the blade release assembly 352 to be pushed awayfrom the mounting plate 346 when the blade mount base 340 is attached tothe mounting plate 346. When the operator pushes against the springswith sufficient force to overcome the spring force, the blade releaseassembly 352 may slide up the sidewalls 348 toward the mounting plate346 in a direction indicated by arrow 355 of FIG. 12. However, when noforce is applied to overcome the spring force, the blade releaseassembly 352 may be pushed in a direction opposite of the directionindicated by arrow 355 by the springs.

The sidewalls 348 may include a slanted pin channel 354 on each opposingside of the recess 330. The slanted pin channels 354 may be disposedsuch that one of the slanted pin channels 354 is positioned tocorrespond to each respective one of the pin reception slots 326 whenthe shaped protrusion 320 is inserted into the orifice 330. Although theslanted pin channel 354 of one example embodiment lies perpendicular toa longitudinal centerline of the blade 310 when the blade 310 isinstalled in the blade mount 300, such orientation is not required inall embodiments. A retractable pin 360 may be disposed in each of theslanted pin channels 354 and may be enabled to move freely within theslanted pin channel 354 and extend out of at least a portion of theslanted pin channel 354 and into the recess 330 when the blade releaseassembly 352 is in its rest position disposed farthest away from themounting plate 346 responsive to urging from the internal springs.However, when the blade release assembly 352 is forced upward or towardthe mounting plate 346 to overcome the internal springs, the retractablepin 360 may be withdrawn into the slanted pin channel 354 and out of therecess 330 as the retractable pin 360 rides along the slanted pinchannel 354 in an upward direction to follow the movement of the bladerelease assembly 352.

To support movement within the slanted pin channel 354, the bladerelease assembly 352 may include a horizontal pin channel 353 that isoriented substantially parallel to the arrow 357. The retractable pin360 may be disposed within the horizontal pin channel 353 and may bebiased (e.g., via one or more springs) toward the recess 330 on eachrespective side. Thus, for example, when the blade release assembly 352is in its rest position disposed farthest away from the mounting plate346 responsive to urging from the internal springs, the retractable pin360 may be pushed by biasing springs within the horizontal pin channel353 toward the recess 330. In the rest position, the retractable pin 360may be at least partially disposed within the orifice and may be capableof engaging its corresponding pin reception slot 326 to clamp the blade310 to the blade mount 300. However, as the blade release assembly 352is forced out of the rest position, the blade release assembly 352 maymove upwardly (e.g., in the direction of arrow 355). Given that theretractable pin 360 is fixed in its vertical position relative to theblade release assembly 352 by virtue of its disposal within thehorizontal pin channel 353, the retractable pin 360 may engage theslanted surface of the slanted pin channel 354 to ride within theslanted pin channel 354 upwardly, while being drawn away from theorifice 330 within its respective horizontal pin channel 353. Thus,contact with a surface of the slanted pin channel 354 may draw theretractable pin 360 away from the orifice 330 within the horizontal pinchannel 353 to overcome the biasing springs and move the retractable pin360 upwardly through the slanted pin channel 354.

In an example embodiment, a portion of the pin reception slot 326 may beslanted to match the gradient of the slanted surface of the slanted pinchannel 354 to permit a smooth transition of the retractable pin 360from having portions thereof in contact with the pin reception slot 326(which is disposed in the orifice 330), to having all portions thereofin contact with the slanted pin channel 354. When the retractable pin360 is pushed into the orifice 330 region to engage the pin receptionslot 326, the blade 310 may be affixed to the blade mount 300. Morespecifically, the shaped protrusion 320 may be held proximate to thesidewalls 348 of the blade mount 300. However, when the retractable pin360 is withdrawn from the orifice 330 into the horizontal pin channel353 and further up (or away from the orifice 330) the slanted pinchannel 354 to a point at which the retractable pin 360 is no longerwithin the pin reception slot 326, the blade 310 may be released fromthe blade mount 300. As such, an operator may use even a single hand,without any need for tools, to push the blade release assembly 352upward (or toward the mounting plate 346) and release the blade 310.FIG. 12 illustrates a released blade 310, responsive to movement of theblade release assembly 352 toward the mounting plate 346. After theblade 310 is sharpened or replaced, the sharpened or replaced blade maythen be affixed to the blade mount by simply aligning the shapedprotrusion 320 with the orifice and pushing the sharpened or replacedblade upwardly until the retractable pin 360 engages the pin receptionslot 326 to clamp the sharpened or replaced blade to the blade mount300. FIG. 13 shows the blade 310 clamped to the blade mount 300 with theblade release assembly 352 in its rest position.

The example embodiments described above in connection with FIGS. 2-14each support a single blade. In other words, a single blade thatincludes cutting surfaces at opposite ends thereof is held in place by ablade mount that engages the blade at a center portion of the blade.However, as indicated above, some embodiments may employ a blade mountthat engages two (or more) separate blade portions. Thus, for example,separate cutting surfaces associated with corresponding separate bladeportions may be supported from some example blade mounts associated withexample embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 15-18 illustrateexamples of such embodiments.

In this regard, FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a blade mount400 of an example embodiment. The blade mount 400 of FIG. 15 includesone portion thereof with a blade engagement assembly 405 affixedthereto, and another portion with the blade engagement assembly 405removed to facilitate explanation of the operation of an exampleembodiment. However, it should be appreciated that a working embodimentwould include an equal number of blade engagement assemblies for thenumber of blades to be supported. FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective viewof a quick-change blade 410 according to an example embodiment. FIG. 17illustrates a perspective view of the blade 410 attached to the blademount 400 by being clamped within the blade engagement assembly 405.FIG. 18 illustrates an exploded view of components of the bladeengagement assembly 405 according to an example embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 15-18, the blade mount 400 may include a blade mountbase 420 that may include a mounting receiver 422 disposed at a centerportion thereof. The mounting receiver 422 may be affixed to a rotatableshaft of the lawn mower (e.g., riding lawn care vehicle 10) as describedabove. In this regard, for example, the mounting receiver 422 may be anorifice shaped to match an engagement shape positioned on a mountingplate corresponding to a mandrel or other mounting surface to which themounting receiver 422 may be affixed. A bolt may be passed through themounting receiver 422 to engage the shaft and affix the blade mount 400to the mounting plate. In some cases, a washer may be inserted betweenthe bolt and the mounting receiver 422 to increase the contact area andholding force on the blade mount 400 to affix the blade mount 400 to themounting plate of the lawn mower.

The blade mount base 420 may include a blade insertion slot 430 at eachrespective end of the blade mount base 420. Each blade insertion slot430 may be configured to receive an example embodiment of the blade 410.In the example shown in FIG. 15, each blade insertion slot 430 providesan opening for insertion of the blade 410 into a corresponding bladeengagement assembly 405 to be held within the blade insertion slot 430.The blade insertion slot 430 represents a gap that extends substantiallyparallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the blade mount base 420. Theblade insertion slot 430 may extend at least from a distal end of theblade mount base 420 inwardly toward the mounting receiver 422. In thisexample embodiment, the blade insertion slot 430 also extends along oneside of the blade mount base 420 from the distal end of the blade mountbase 420 to a position proximate to the location of the mountingreceiver 422 to enable side entry of the blade 410 into the bladeinsertion slot 430 and into the blade engagement assembly 405. However,in some example embodiments, both side portions may be closed and theblade insertion slot 430 may extend over only the distal end of theblade mount base 420. In such an example, the blade 410 would beinserted directly inline with a longitudinal centerline of the blademount 400. However, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the blade 410 maybe inserted from a side substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalcenterline of the blade mount 400. More specifically, in the picturedexample, blades may be entered into opposite sides of the blade mount400 since the blade insertion slots 430 may extend over opposite sidesof the blade mount body 420.

The blade 410 may include a blade body 412 that may take the form of anelongate plate shaped member. However, the blade body 412 may includeone or more bends, curves or other shaping features to improveaerodynamic characteristics, cutting performance or other desirablecharacteristics. The blade body 412 may extend along its longitudinalcenterline from a cutting end 414 to an attachment end 416. The cuttingend 414 may include a leading edge portion that may be sharpened to cutvegetation as the blade 410 is rotated and a trailing edge portion thatmay be sloped or otherwise shaped for aerodynamic performance reasons.The cutting end 414 may form a distal end of the blade 410 relative tothe blade mount 400 when the blade 410 is inserted into the blade mount400 and the attachment end 416 may form a proximal end thereof since theattachment end 416 may be inserted into the blade insertion slot 430. Inan example embodiment, the blade 410 may include one or more detentreceivers 418 disposed proximate to the attachment end 416. The detentreceivers 418 may receive one or more detents that may be retractablyinserted into the detent receivers 418 to affix the blade 410 to theblade engagement assembly 405 or otherwise hold the blade 410 in placewithin the blade insertion slot 430. In the pictured example, the detentreceivers 418 are round, and two are placed spaced apart along alongitudinal centerline of the blade 410. However, the detent receivers418 could have other shapes, and other positions in alternativeembodiments.

As can be seen in FIGS. 15, 17 and 18, the blade mount base 420 mayinclude receiving orifices 424. The receiving orifices 424 of thisexample embodiment may be disposed along the longitudinal centerline ofthe blade mount base 420 at positions that correspond to the positionsof the detent receivers 418 when the blade 410 is inserted into theblade insertion slot 430. As such, when the blade 410 is inserted intothe blade insertion slot 430, the receiving orifices 424 maysubstantially align with the detent receivers 418. To lock the blade 410within the blade insertion slot 430 as shown in FIG. 17, retractabledetents 440 of FIG. 18 may pass through both the receiving orifices 424and the detent receivers 418.

The retractable detents 440 may be disposed within a blade engagementassembly housing 450 of the blade engagement assembly 405 at locationsthat correspond to the receiving orifices 424. In an example embodiment,the retractable detents 440 may be spring loaded to be biased to beinserted through the receiving orifices 424 and, if the blade 410 is inthe blade insertion slot 430, through the detent receivers 418. In anexample embodiment, the retractable detents 440 may include slideengaging surfaces 442 that may be configured to engage sliding surfaces444 disposed on an unlocking tab 446. The unlocking tab 446 of thisexample may be disposed at a side portion of the blade engagementassembly housing 450 and may extend out of a gap between a portion ofthe blade engagement assembly housing 450 and the blade mount base 420.As such, a portion of the unlocking tab 446 may slide along a surface ofthe blade mount base 420 responsive to an operator pressing on theunlocking tab 446. When the unlocking tab 446 slides over the blademount base 420 further into the blade engagement assembly housing 450,the sliding surfaces 444 may engage the side engaging surfaces 442 andlift the retractable detents 440 out of the detent receivers 418. Theblade 410 may then be unclamped and removable from the blade mount 400.

In some embodiments, the retractable detents 440 may include slantedsurfaces at distal ends thereof and the slanted surfaces may be orientedtoward a direction from which entry of the blade 410 into the bladeinsertion slot 430 is expected. As such, when the blade 410 is insertedinto the blade insertion slot 430, the blade 410 may engage the slantedsurfaces and enable the retractable detents 440 to ride upward and outof the way of the blade 410 until the blade 410 is inserted to a pointat which the detent receivers 418 are substantially aligned with thereceiving orifices 424, at which time the retractable detents may beinserted through the detent receivers 418 to hold the blade 410 in placewithin the blade insertion slot 430.

In some embodiments, the blade insertion slot 430 may be formed to havea width that is slightly wider than the width of the blade 410. However,in some cases, the blade engagement assembly housing 450 may be providedwith one or more sets of spring loaded rollers 460 that may enabledifferent blade widths to be accounted for by consuming any gaps betweenthe blade 410 and interior walls defining the blade insertion slot 430.As shown in FIG. 18, the spring loaded rollers 460 may include springs462 that engage the blade engagement assembly housing 450 at one endthereof, and engage a roller ball 464 at the other end thereof. Therollers 460 may extend through roller receivers 466 disposed in theblade mount base that extend into the blade insertion slot 430. Theroller receivers 466 may be arrayed in any desirable arrangement and maybe included on the top and bottom of the blade mount base 420 or just onone of the top or bottom of the blade mount base 420. As the blade 410is inserted into the blade insertion slot 430, the rollers 460 may beurged into contact with the blade 410 to assist in providing a securefit between the blade 410 and the blade mount 400. When the retractabledetents 440 engage the receiving orifices 424, the blade 410 may be heldsecurely within the blade mount 400. However, when the unlocking tab 446is depressed to remove the retractable detents 440 from engagement withthe receiving orifices 424, the operator may slide the blade 410 out ofengagement with the rollers 460 and out of the blade insertion slot 430to enable the operator to sharpen or replace the blade 410.

In some cases, the blade mount 400 may be modified to support additionalblades beyond just two. Although a blade mount could simply be providedwith additional body portions extending to provide additional bladeinsertion slots, in some cases, multiple blade mounts could be stackedon each other in an offset fashion, for example, to provide mulchingcapabilities. FIGS. 19-21 illustrate one such example embodiment. Inthis regard, FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of a blade mount 500according to another example embodiment. FIG. 20 illustrates aperspective view of the blade mount 500 with quick-change blades 510removed. FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of the blade mount withthe blades 510 installed.

The blades 510 may be similar to the blades 410 shown in FIGS. 15-18except that in this example the blades 510 only include a single detentreceiver 518 since the blade mount 500 employs a blade insertion slot530 that extends only across the distal end of the blade mount 500. Theblade mount 500 also operates similar to the blade mount 400 except thatunlocking tab 546, which is depressed to release a locked blade, may bedisposed at the distal end of the blade mount 500 instead of on the sideof the blade mount 400 of FIGS. 15-18. As shown in FIGS. 19-21, theblade mount 500 may include two vertically offset blade mount components(e.g., upper blade mount component 502 and lower blade mount component504) so that the blades 510 associated with the upper blade mountcomponent 502 may be at a different elevation than blades associatedwith the lower blade mount component 504. This configuration may assistwith providing a mulching action as the blades are rotated by a lawnmower.

Thus, example embodiments provide various different ways that aquick-change blade system may be employed to provide operators with amechanism by which blades may be removed or replaced relatively easilyand quickly. Moreover, some example embodiments may enable blade removaland/or replacement to be performed without tools and, in at least somecases with one hand. Some embodiments may enable bladechange/replacement to be performed without tipping the lawn mower,elevating the lawn mower or removing the cutting deck. Thus, operatorsmay enjoy a simpler blade change/removal procedure and may be encouragedto perform blade sharpening or replacement on a more frequent basis tokeep lawn care performance and quality at a high level. In someembodiments, a blade mount is provided that may be operably coupled to arotatable shaft. The blade mount may include at least one engagementslot (e.g., blade insertion slot 430/530) enclosing at least a portionof at least one blade. The blade mount may further include at least oneprotruding member (e.g., retractable detents 440) disposable within theengagement slot to secure the at least one blade within the engagementslot responsive to insertion of the at least one blade into theengagement slot. In some embodiments, the blade mount may include anorifice configured to releasably receive a shaped protrusion operablycoupled to at least one blade. The blade mount may include a bladerelease assembly configured to facilitate holding the shaped protrusionwithin the orifice in a first position of the blade release assembly andto release the shaped protrusion responsive to movement of the bladerelease assembly to a second position. In some embodiments, the blademount may include a latch assembly configured to rotate a clasp relativeto a blade reception channel to engage at least a portion of the atleast one blade.

In an example embodiment, a lawn care device is provided. The lawn caredevice may include a cutting deck housing at least one blade, arotatable shaft, and a blade mount operably coupled to the rotatableshaft. The blade mount may include at least one engagement slotconfigured to enclose at least a portion of the at least one blade. Theblade mount may further include at least one protruding member disposedwithin the engagement slot to secure the at least one blade within theengagement slot responsive to insertion of the at least one blade intothe engagement slot.

The lawn care device of some embodiments may include additional featuresthat may be optionally added. For example, in some embodiments, (1) theengagement slot may be defined by a latch assembly. The engagement slotmay be formed between a blade mount base and a rotatable clasp of thelatch assembly. Additionally or alternatively (2), the at least oneprotruding member may be provided at the blade mount base to include afirst protruding member and a second protruding member, where the firstand second protruding members are disposed substantially equidistantfrom respective opposing sides of a longitudinal centerline of the blademount base. Additionally or alternatively (3), the first and secondprotruding members may be disposed to be offset relative to thetransverse centerline of the blade mount base. Additionally oralternatively (4), at least a majority portion of the first protrudingmember may be disposed on a first side of the transverse centerline ofthe blade mount base and at least a majority portion of the secondprotruding member is disposed on a second side of the transversecenterline of the blade mount base. In some embodiments, any or all of(1) to (4) may be employed, and the blade mount base may engage one faceof the blade and the clasp may engage an opposite face of the bladeresponsive to the blade being held by the blade mount. In someembodiments, any or all of (1) to (4) may be employed, and the clasp mayfurther include a locking assembly and a latch cover, where the lockingassembly enables the latch cover to be secured to hold the claspproximate to the blade. In some embodiments, any or all of (1) to (4)may be employed, and the blade mount base may include a set of guideposts and a set of locking posts disposed on opposing sides of theengagement slot, where the clasp further comprises a locking assemblyand a latch cover, and the locking assembly enables the latch cover tobe secured to hold the clasp proximate to the blade via engagement of awire element with the set of locking posts. In some embodiments, any orall of (1) to (4) may be employed, and the blade mount base may includea set of guide posts and a set of locking posts disposed on opposingsides of the engagement slot, where the clasp further comprises alocking assembly and a latch cover, the locking assembly enables thelatch cover to be secured to hold the clasp proximate to the blade viaengagement of a wire element with the set of locking posts, the wireelement is rotatably coupled with the clasp to provide a spring force topull the latch cover down toward the clamp when the latch cover isrotated such that a substantial portion of the latch cover lies in aplane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the clasp lieswhile the wire element engages the set of locking posts. In someembodiments, any or all of (1) to (4) may be employed, and the clasp mayfurther include a locking assembly and a latch cover, the lockingassembly enabling the latch cover to be secured to hold the claspproximate to the blade, wherein the locking assembly comprises a lockingprotrusion configured to extend through a lock receiver attached to orotherwise forming a portion of the latch cover, and wherein the lockingprotrusion comprises a rotatable catch disposed at a distal end thereof.In some embodiments, any or all of (1) to (4) may be employed, and theblade mount may include a non-circular shaped aperture configured toreceive a correspondingly shaped protrusion therein to couple the blademount to the rotatable shaft. In some embodiments, the non-circularshaped aperture may include a star-shaped hole. In some embodiments, theengagement slot may include a non-circular and tapered cavity configuredto receive a correspondingly shaped protrusion that may be attached toor otherwise form a portion of the blade, and the at least oneprotruding member may be disposed within the engagement slot of theblade mount which may include a retractable set of locking pins within areleasable pin holding assembly and may be configured to engageapertures in the shaped protrusion attached to or otherwise forming aportion of the blade. In an example embodiment, the engagement slot mayinclude a plurality of spring-loaded rollers configured to allow aportion of a blade to be slid into the engagement slot, the at least oneprotruding member may include at least one retractable detent, and theblade mount may further include an unlocking tab that, when actuated, isconfigured to remove the at least one retractable detent from engagementwith at least one receiving orifice in a blade disposed in theengagement slot.

In another example embodiment, a blade mount may be provided. The blademount may be configured to couple a blade to a rotatable shaft. Theblade mount may include at least one engagement slot configured toenclose at least a portion of the blade, and at least one protrudingmember disposed within the engagement slot to secure the blade withinthe engagement slot responsive to insertion of the blade into theengagement slot. The blade mount may be provided with the features andcombinations of features described above.

In another example embodiment, a cutting blade for a lawn mower isprovided. The blade may include a top face, a bottom face, and at leastone alignment slot forming a cutout portion of the blade passing fromone of the top face or bottom face toward the other of the top face orthe bottom face. The at least one alignment slot may be disposed spacedapart from an axis of rotation of the blade to receive a correspondingprotruding member of a blade mount configured to hold the blade, viaengagement of the protruding member with the at least one alignmentslot, at a portion of the blade other than at the axis of rotationduring rotation of the blade responsive to operation of the lawn mower.

In some embodiments, (1) the at least one alignment slot may include afirst alignment slot disposed spaced apart from the axis of rotation ofthe blade to receive a corresponding first protruding member of theblade mount, and a second alignment slot disposed spaced apart from theaxis of rotation of the blade to receive a corresponding secondprotruding member of the blade mount. The first and second alignmentslots may be disposed on substantially opposite sides of the axis ofrotation. Alternatively or additionally (2), the first and secondalignment slots may each be disposed substantially equidistant fromopposing sides of a transverse centerline of the blade. Additionally oralternatively (3), the first and second alignment slots may each bedisposed to be offset relative to a longitudinal centerline of theblade. Additionally or alternatively (4), at least a majority portion ofthe first alignment slots may be disposed on a first side of thelongitudinal centerline of the blade, and at least a majority portion ofthe second alignment slot is disposed on a second side of thelongitudinal centerline of the blade. In some embodiments, any or all of(1) to (4) may be employed, and the blade may further include a boltreceiver disposed at the axis of rotation of the blade to enable a boltthat affixes the blade mount to the lawn mower to pass through the boltreceiver. In some embodiments, any or all of (1) to (4) may be employed,and the blade may further include a bolt receiver disposed at the axisof rotation of the blade to enable a bolt that affixes the blade mountto the lawn mower to pass through the bolt receiver without any contactbetween the bolt and the bolt receiver. In some embodiments, any or allof (1) to (4) may be employed, and the blade may be propelledexclusively via engagement between the first and second alignment slotsand the first and second protruding members.

Although some example embodiments have been described above in thecontext of employment within the cutting deck of a riding lawn mower, itshould be appreciated that example embodiments may also be practiced inother contexts as well. For example, numerous other types of outdoorpower equipment that employ blades could benefit from employment ofquick-change blade technology as described herein. Thus, exampleembodiments may be practiced on either riding or walk behind lawn mowermodels as well as in connection with trimmers, edgers, circular saws,chain saw bars, agricultural equipment, and/or the like. Still otherexample embodiments may be practiced on other devices as well. Forexample, some embodiments of the quick-change mounting systems may beused to attach fan blades to a fan and/or other rotary elements to arotating spindle.

Moreover, as indicated above, some models may be produced from thefactory with quick-change fittings installed. However, other models maybe retrofitted by installing a blade mount in a similar fashion to thatwhich was previously used to install the blades themselves. Once theblade mount is in place, quick-change blades may be employed even byolder models.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certainexemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scopeof the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions toproblems are described herein, it should be appreciated that suchadvantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some exampleembodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, anyadvantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thoughtof as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or tothat which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employedherein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A lawn care vehicle comprising: a rotatable shaft; a cutting deck housing at least one blade; and a blade mount operably coupled to the rotatable shaft and configured to releasably engage the at least one blade, the blade mount comprising: a blade mount base comprising: an orifice in a center portion of the blade mount base in which a bolt is configured to pass in order to operably couple the blade mount base to the rotatable shaft; and sidewalls that extend in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the rotatable shaft to form a recess, wherein the recess is configured to releasably receive a shaped protrusion attached to the at least one blade, and wherein the shaped protrusion comprises an opening for receiving a head of the bolt upon the recess releasably receiving the shaped protrusion; and a blade release assembly operably coupled to the blade mount base such that the blade release assembly extends around a circumference of the sidewalls of the blade mount base, wherein the blade release assembly is configured to facilitate holding the shaped protrusion within the recess in a first position of the blade release assembly and to release the shaped protrusion responsive to movement of the blade release assembly to a second position, wherein the blade release assembly, the recess, and the shaped protrusion are disposed between the at least one blade and the rotatable shaft, wherein the shaped protrusion comprises a pin reception slot disposed at an outer surface thereof, the pin reception slot being configured to receive a retractable pin of the blade release assembly, the retractable pin retracting from the pin reception slot to release the shaped protrusion from the blade mount and extending into the pin reception slot to hold the shaped protrusion to the blade mount.
 2. The lawn care vehicle of claim 1, wherein the shaped protrusion extends substantially perpendicularly away from a surface of the at least one blade and tapers inwardly along a length of the shaped protrusion extending away from the surface.
 3. The lawn care vehicle of claim 2, wherein the recess is shaped to correspond to a shape of the shaped protrusion.
 4. The lawn care vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pin reception slot comprises a first pin reception slot disposed at one side of an outer surface of the shaped protrusion and a second pin reception slot disposed at an opposite side of the outer surface of the shaped protrusion, wherein the first and second pin reception slots are configured to receive respective ones of a first retractable pin and a second retractable pin of the blade release assembly, the first and second retractable pins retracting from the first and second pin reception slots, respectively, to release the shaped protrusion from the blade mount and extending into the first and second pin reception slots, respectively, to hold the shaped protrusion to the blade mount.
 5. The lawn care vehicle of claim 1, wherein the retractable pin is disposed within a pin channel of the blade mount such that the retractable pin is moved within the pin channel based on movement of the blade release assembly between the first position and the second position.
 6. The lawn care vehicle of claim 5, wherein the pin channel is slanted relative to a plane in which the at least one blade lies responsive to mounting of the at least one blade in the blade mount.
 7. The lawn care vehicle of claim 5, wherein the retractable pin is slideable within the pin channel such that at least a middle portion of the retractable pin extends into the recess while ends of the retractable pin remain in the pin channel over a range of travel of the retractable pin within the pin channel.
 8. The lawn care vehicle of claim 5, wherein the pin channel terminates at the pin reception slot responsive to insertion of the shaped protrusion into the recess, and wherein movement of the blade release assembly from the first position to the second position causes the retractable pin to be removed from the pin reception slot.
 9. The lawn care vehicle of claim 5, wherein the pin channel is positioned to correspond to the pin reception slot responsive to insertion of the shaped protrusion into the recess, and wherein the retractable pin is biased to be inserted into the pin reception slot unless the blade release assembly is moved to the second position.
 10. A blade mount for a lawn care vehicle, the blade mount comprising: a blade mount base disposed to operably engage a rotatable shaft of the lawn care vehicle at a center of the blade mount base, the blade mount base comprising: an orifice in a center portion of the blade mount base in which a bolt is configured to pass in order to operably engage the blade mount base to the rotatable shaft; and sidewalls that extend in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the rotatable shaft to form a recess, wherein the recess is configured to releasably receive a shaped protrusion attached to a blade, and wherein the shaped protrusion comprises an opening for receiving a head of the bolt upon the recess releasably receiving the shaped protrusion; and a blade release assembly operably coupled to the blade mount base such that it the blade release assembly extends around a circumference of the sidewalls of the blade mount base, wherein the blade release assembly is configured to facilitate holding the shaped protrusion within the recess in a first position of the blade release assembly and to release the shaped protrusion when the blade release assembly moves to a second position responsive to application of a force substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the rotatable shaft, and wherein the blade release assembly is configured to force movement of a retractable pin through a pin channel disposed in the blade mount base such that ends of the retractable pin remain in the pin channel while a middle portion of the retractable pin engages a pin reception slot of the blade to hold the blade proximate to the blade mount base responsive to the blade release assembly being in the first position.
 11. The blade mount of claim 10, wherein the retractable pin is removed from the pin reception slot responsive to movement of the blade release assembly to the second position.
 12. The blade mount of claim 10, wherein the pin channel is positioned to correspond to the pin reception slot responsive to insertion of the shaped protrusion into the recess, and wherein movement of the blade release assembly from the first position to the second position causes the retractable pin to be removed from the pin reception slot.
 13. The blade mount of claim 10, wherein the pin channel is positioned to correspond to the pin reception slot responsive to insertion of the shaped protrusion into the recess, and wherein the retractable pin is biased to be inserted into the pin reception slot unless the blade release assembly is moved to the second position.
 14. The blade mount of claim 10, wherein the blade release assembly is biased to be in the first position and a force exerted by an operator is required to overcome biasing of the blade release assembly to move the blade release assembly to the second position. 